Security Barriers Greet Wrentham Outlets Black Friday Shoppers

WRENTHAM (CBS) — There was a long line of traffic early Friday morning to get into the Wrentham Outlets for the start of Black Friday shopping and once customers arrived they saw something different – barriers.

As a response to the growing number of vehicle attacks on sidewalks, police barricaded the outlets’ walkways for the first time.

(WBZ-TV)

Trucks that will be driving in throughout the day to make deliveries will also be pre-screened, police said.

“This outlet is an international tourist attraction. They have charter buses from the entire region here. They have buses coming in from the airports. It brings in a diverse crowd from around the world and for that reason, we need to take even more precautions than we do,” Waltham Police deputy chief Bill McGrath told WBZ-TV.

Officers also advised shoppers to ignore GPS routes that try to bypass heavy traffic by redirecting to side streets because many will blocked off due to the increase in navigation apps like Waze.

Shoppers say the deals make the early wake up time worth it.

A family from New Jersey made the annual trip to Wrentham to visit one of their local relatives.

“I don’t get a lot of time with them to shop during the year,” one of the women told WBZ-TV. ” So this is always our special trip and all the guys at home think we’re crazy for getting up this early.”